Saturday and Sunday June 18 and 19 saw the staging of the NSW Open Qualifier at Howlong and Thurgoona golf clubs respectively and organisers were pleased that the rain managed to stay away.
This major event was part of Golf NSW’s plan to give golfers in both NSW and Victoria the opportunity to secure a spot in the prestigious NSW Open to be played at Stonecutters Ridge Golf Club commencing November 10, 2016. Co-sponsors of the local event were the Murray District Golf Association, Albury City Council and Bob Jane T Marts Albury.
37 Entrants came from far and wide to try their luck with 12 players from Victoria, a similar number from throughout NSW and the balance made up of aspiring locals.
The winner of the 36 hole event was Kyle Michel from the Shepparton Golf Club playing off a handicap of +5 and a final score of four under.
Runner up was Corey Jones playing off a handicap of +3 from the Pymble Golf Club.
Local star and last years winner, Liam Grandsen, came in third with another fine effort.
A hole in one prize of $10,000, supplied by co-sponsor, Bob Jane T Marts, on the 16th hole at Thurgoona could not be claimed.
The event has been contracted over three years and Golf NSW and the MDGA are confident it will be even bigger and better next year.